Alden prices going up

[fdbaker]

Yesterday (02/21/09) I picked up a pair of shell longwings at the San Francisco store. The SA told me it was a good time to buy, as prices are going up at the end of the month. I didn't ask him how much the increase will be.

 

[Warren G.]

damn that sucks. I was considering getting some shell long wings end of this year.

 

[robin]

I love Alden, but $500 a pair (after taxes) for calfskin shoes turned me away from buying three of J. Gilbert's recent custom models. At that price point I'd prefer the British makers instead.

 

[Lel]

Alden seems great, but at the price points they ask it seems like one should just stick to their Cordovan models which are worth it. Calfskin, it seems like they offer a good shoe, but there are a lot of alternatives around that price point and it seems to me that you don't really go to Alden for a $500 calfskin shoe.

But that's just me.

 

[fcuknu]

Who in their right mind would go with a pair of aldens over a pair of c&j's?

 

[forex]

Originally Posted by Lel

Alden seems great, but at the price points they ask it seems like one should just stick to their Cordovan models which are worth it. Calfskin, it seems like they offer a good shoe, but there are a lot of alternatives around that price point and it seems to me that you don't really go to Alden for a $500 calfskin shoe.

But that's just me.

+1,only cordovan and they do have some nice ones.

 

[jmix1]

Originally Posted by fcuknu

Who in their right mind would go with a pair of aldens over a pair of c&j's?

+1. Especially when C&J handgrades can be found online for cheaper than the new Alden price point. It seems like AE has the right idea in this economy with its introduction of the AE by Allen Edmonds line at a price point closer to $200. I know I'll be looking into these for my next AE purchase. Has anyone bought a pair yet? I'm curious how the quality of this line compares to main line AE.

 

[Big A]

This is just another thing that makes me sincerely hope they go out of business

 

[Imperator]

Originally Posted by Big A

This is just another thing that makes me sincerely hope they go out of business

I wouldn't go that far...thought the perpetual price increases are quite annoying

 

[forex]

Originally Posted by Big A

This is just another thing that makes me sincerely hope they go out of business

Why do you say that?So that Americans end up with no decent shoes at all?

 

[elgreco]

That sucks - Alden makes a good shoe, if a bit conservative, which suits me fine for professional purposes. But for any other purpose, I don't know why you wouldn't look towards other bootmakers given the new price point.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Big A

This is just another thing that makes me sincerely hope they go out of business
I hope they stay in business. They make great shell cordovan shoes that I've enjoyed for years. I only have one pair of calf and it'll likely be last, but for shell, they do a great job.

My understanding is that prices everywhere will start to climb soon, so this increase doesn't surprise me even though it is discouraging.

 

[Big A]

Alden quality is a myth, their store stock always sucks, and special orders take forever. About the most bizarre shopping experience I ever had was at the DC store, where they insisted on measuring my foot despite the fact that I already knew what size and last I needed, then showed me shoes in the wrong last, then basically said "sorry we don't have anything and it will take 6-8 months to get it for you." Now they are raising their prices?

So lets see: Spotty workmanship (don't believe me? Go somewhere that carries Alden, pull out a couple of pairs and compare the stitching) - check. Slow at filling orders - check. Clueless staff - check (at least in DC). Overly expensive - check.

At this point their so-called "handmade quality"is indiscernable from AE. AE is hundreds cheaper. AE's clearly won't last as long, but who cares? with the money you save you can get anoither pair of shoes.

There is simply no reason for the company to exist, and the fact that it does annoys me to no end. Yes the indy boot is cool, but at this point that's all Alden has to offer, and that isn't enough

 

[obiwan]

Originally Posted by fdbaker

Yesterday (02/21/09) I picked up a pair of shell longwings at the San Francisco store. The SA told me it was a good time to buy, as prices are going up at the end of the month. I didn't ask him how much the increase will be.

What colors did they have, just #8 and black?

 

[Imperator]

Originally Posted by Big A

Alden quality is a myth, their store stock always sucks, and special orders take forever. About the most bizarre shopping experience I ever had was at the DC store, where they insisted on measuring my foot despite the fact that I already knew what size and last I needed, then showed me shoes in the wrong last, then basically said "sorry we don't have anything and it will take 6-8 months to get it for you." Now they are raising their prices?

So lets see: Spotty workmanship (don't believe me? Go somewhere that carries Alden, pull out a couple of pairs and compare the stitching) - check. Slow at filling orders - check. Clueless staff - check (at least in DC). Overly expensive - check.

At this point their so-called "handmade quality"is indiscernable from AE. AE is hundreds cheaper. AE's clearly won't last as long, but who cares? with the money you save you can get anoither pair of shoes.

There is simply no reason for the company to exist, and the fact that it does annoys me to no end. Yes the indy boot is cool, but at this point that's all Alden has to offer, and that isn't enough

I haven't experienced any of the problems you describe, but I only have 4 pairs of Aldens, 3 of which I purchased on sale. As for the AE v. Alden debate, I've never understood how one could construct a viable "rivalry" between the two brands. AE isn't even in the same league as Alden. 95% of AE lasts are utterly hideous--who cares about the relative merits of their construction? That said, Aldens are noticeably more expensive, particularly because they rarely go on sale, whereas no one pays full retail for AEs.